Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Chino, was chosen to chair the Housing and Development Committee.

Among Republicans, state Sen. Bill Emmerson of Rancho Cucamonga will be vice chairman of the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee.

Morrell has also been selected vice chairman of two committees - Banking and Finance as well as Labor and Employment.

Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills and Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia, have been chosen to be vice chairmen of the Insurance Committee, and Elections and Redistricting Committee, respectively.

By being vice chairman of two committees dealing with business, Morrell said he would like to be able to support bills that may ease California's regulatory system.

"So many jobs are leaving California because we over-regulate," he said.

Local lawmakers' committee assignments:

State Senate

Emmerson will be vice chairman of both the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee.

He also sits on the Government and Finance; Rules; and Human Services committees. Emmerson is also appointed to the following joint committees: Arts; Rules; Emergency Management; Legislative Budget; and Legislative Sunset Review. The Sunset Review Committee is responsible for examining government programs for waste, necessity and cost-effectiveness.

Bob Huff, R-Walnut, will be a member of the Education Committee.

Huff is also a member of the following select committees: Alameda Corridor; Asian Pacific Islander Affairs; California Job Creation and Retention; California's Horse Racing Industry; Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness; Response and Recovery; Groundwater and Perchlorate Contamination; and High-Speed Rail.

Assembly

Cheryl Brown, D-San Bernardino, will be on the Housing and Community Development; Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media; Veterans Affairs; and Aging and Long-Term Care committees.

Donnelly will be vice chairman of the Elections and Redistricting Committee and a member of the Appropriations; Rules; and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials committees as well as the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.

Hagman will be vice chairman of the Insurance Committee. He also is a member of the Insurance; Accountability and Administrative Review; Business, Professions and Consumer Protection; Governmental Organization; and Rules committees.

Hagman is also the Republican Caucus' assistant floor leader, which means he is responsible for advocating for the minority party on legislative procedure.

Morrell will be vice chairman of the Banking and Finance; and Labor and Employment committees. He will be a member of the Budget and Transportation committees. He also is the Republican whip, which means he is responsible for motivating other Republican Assembly members to vote according to the GOP leadership's wishes.

Torres will be chairwoman of the Assembly Housing and Development Committee. She also will serve on the Banking and Finance; Governmental Organization; and Insurance committees.

Torres also chairs the Select Committee on 9-1-1 Service and is a member of these other select committees: Inland Empire Transportation Issues; California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs; Delinquency Prevention and Youth Development; Wine; Domestic Violence; Government Efficiency, Technology and Innovation; Community Resources Impacted by Re-Entry.

Torres also sits on the Joint Committee on Fairs, Allocation and Classification.